Description

MASTER CLASSES AT PAXTON HOUSE

Led by David Jones, expert in Furniture History at the University of St Andrews, Scotland

Mon 2nd July

Thomas Chippendale the Elder at Paxton House: a Study Day

Paxton House, in the Scottish Borders, is the largest and one of the most significant Chippendale commissions in Scotland. Thomas Chippendale the Elder who, with his wealthy Edinburgh partner James Rannie, formed the company ‘Chippendale and Rannie’, supplied furniture to Ninian Home at his new Borders country house between 1774 and 1779, initiating what is known as the ‘Paxton Style’, a mode of understated, aristocratic elegance that has since been copied the world over.

This full-day study course will enable its members to recognise and understand the Paxton Style, considering such areas as furniture type, technical construction, details of styling and quality of timber. The morning session will form an introduction to the elder Thomas Chippendale, leading to the particular context of the Paxton commission and a scrutiny of the transcribed documents that relate to the surviving furniture. After lunch in the Paxton Stables restaurant, the whole of the afternoon will be devoted to hands-on analysis of the Chippendale pieces spread throughout the house, rounding up with an identification session in which participants’ newly-acquired Chippendale recognition skills will be tested.

Places are limited to twenty.

Mon 23rd July

Thomas Chippendale the Younger at Paxton House: a Study Day

Paxton House contains the most significant collection of furniture surviving in Scotland by Thomas Chippendale the Younger. Following on from his father’s important commission for Ninian Home, Thomas Junior (1749-1822) supplied a large group of grand neo-classical pieces such as pier glasses, tables and seat furniture for the main reception rooms. This was made and delivered between 1789 and 91, with additional pieces being supplied for Wedderburn Castle.

This full-day study course will enable its members to recognise and understand the unique style of Chippendale the Younger, whose repertoire has for so long languished in the shadow of that of his illustrious father. His particular contribution to the late eighteenth century phenomenon of neo-classicism will be considered as will his relationship with French design. Areas such as furniture type, technical construction, ornament and ornamental timbers will be covered in detail. The morning session will form an introduction to the younger Thomas Chippendale, leading to the particular context of the Paxton commission and a scrutiny of the transcribed documents that relate to the surviving furniture. After lunch in the Paxton Stables restaurant, the whole of the afternoon will be devoted to hands-on analysis of the Chippendale pieces spread throughout the house, rounding up with an identification session in which participants’ newly-acquired Chippendale recognition skills will be tested.

Places are limited to twenty.

Mon 3rd September

William Trotter at Paxton House: a Study Day

Paxton House contains the most significant ensemble of Grecian furniture by the celebrated Edinburgh cabinet maker William Trotter (1772-1833) Supplied in 1814, the collection includes suites of chairs, picture viewing sofas, specimen tables and a variety of library furniture developed from Edinburgh price book specifications while deriving some decorative ideas directly from London and Paris. Most of the pieces were specially made by Trotter for the new annexe, which included a spectacular picture gallery designed by Edinburgh architect Robert Reid (1776-1856)

The course will provide a clear insight into the personality of Trotter furniture, a style that is frequently talked about, but rarely identified with accuracy. William Trotter’s particular contribution to the early nineteenth century phenomenon of the Greek Revival will be considered as will his relationship with French design. Areas such as furniture type, technical construction, ornament and timber finishes will be covered in detail. The morning session will form an introduction to the Trotter company, leading to the particular context of the Paxton commission and a scrutiny of the transcribed documents that relate to the surviving furniture. After lunch in the Paxton Stables restaurant, the whole of the afternoon will be devoted to hands-on analysis of the Trotter pieces, rounding up with an identification session in which participants’ newly-acquired Chippendale recognition skills will be tested.

Places are limited to twenty.

^{DAVID JONES}

^{David Jones has taught Furniture History at the University of St Andrews for twenty six years and is a leading academic authority on the subject. Outside the university, he is Hon Keeper of Furniture at Dumfries House, Ayrshire, where he has worked on the collection since the early 1990s.}

^{He edited the academic journal Regional Furniture and has sat on various curatorial panels including the Collections and Archives Committee, National Trust for Scotland, Conservation Committee, Hopetoun House, and Conservation Panel, Paxton House. He is Advisor on Furniture to the Government Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art, a Trustee of the Fife Folk Museum and Treasurer of the June Baker Trust. He lives in Cupar, Fife.}

How to Book:

The Master classes will run from 9.30am to 4.30pm. Each day will cost £60 per person, including lunch and all refreshments. A discounted price of £150 will apply if all 3 master classes are booked in advance. A deposit of £10 for each class will be required at time of booking. The remaining balance must be paid a month before the class commences. Cancellations will receive a full refund if made up to 2 weeks prior to the event, otherwise we are sorry, but we cannot refund the cost of the ticket. You can pay by debit/credit card, you can invoice us or send a cheque payable to The Paxton Trust. Tel: 01289 386 291

Email:info@paxtonhouse.com

Send cheques to “David Jones Master Classes”, Paxton House, Berwick Upon Tweed TD15 1SZ